Do you have a business emergency plan? We didn’t and tragedy hit us hard a few weeks ago. Our business offices, classrooms and the place we function went up in smoke leaving us homeless overnight. Our troops rallied instantly and we put together a plan on the run to keep business moving, our people working and our customers looked after.

As I pen this article we still have a long way to go and I am confident our business will continue to prosper and we will be better today and tomorrow than we were yesterday. I want to share a few things I have learned from this disaster and I hope after reading this you will take the time to put a disaster preparation plan together. I hope you never have to use it. In your document it should include;

• Primary emergency contact information.
• Secondary emergency contact information.
• Emergency contact information.
• Insurance provider contact information.
• List people who will participate in emergency planning and crisis management.
• Contact neighbouring businesses and building management to confirm who will participate in case of emergency.
• Prioritize your list of critical operations, staff and procedures needed to recover from a disaster.
• Have a list of all suppliers and contractors – names, phone numbers, emails.
• Decide how you will communicate your emergency plan with staff, customers, suppliers, community and industry.

This certainly does not cover everything you will need but it is a good start.

On another note there are some great industry events coming up. I hope you take the time to get out and do some networking, create some buzz about your business and have some fun.

About the Author

Kim Richardson is a husband, proud dad, friend, loves Caledonia, and is involved in a couple of businesses, KRTS, Transrep, The Rear View Mirror. Currently the Chairman of the Board OTA Allied Trade Division. Executive Director, PTDI and TTSAO. Anyone who knows Kim knows he has been in the industry and transportation runs in his blood. Kim can be reached through his business websites at KRTS Inc, and Transrep Inc, Kim Richardson on Linkedln, krichardson@krway.com